Regulatory

Capsticks is a national leader in the field of regulatory law and professional discipline.

Our experience means that we can advise on a whole range of issues, from constitutional and strategic issues, to highly sensitive challenges and appeals, to handling a large volume of fitness to practise investigations and prosecutions.  Capsticks has the expertise and resources to support regulators in their strategic objectives.

Our team of over 40 lawyers is widely regarded as being at the forefront of regulatory law and professional discipline.  We are one of only three firms in the UK to be ranked in the top tier in this field by both the Chambers Guide to the Legal Profession and the Legal 500 Directory.  

Underpinning our expertise is our in-depth understanding of the context in which regulators operate – an understanding built up over the many years of advising and representing regulators and other statutory bodies.  We understand the need to reconcile the divergent interests of your stakeholders, including registrants, complainants, witnesses, the media, government and, ultimately, the wider public using your registrants’ services.  We recognise that your responsibility is the protection of the public and that you will be measured by the efficiency, effectiveness and consistency with which this is delivered.  Our understanding of your strategic objectives will permeate our handling of every case; we know that you need analysis that goes beyond merely legal advice, but takes into account resourcing, reputational and public protection factors.

Put quite simply, we are experts in this area of law and our track record proves it.

Our expertise

  • We are appointed by our own regulator to a panel of firms to prepare and present disciplinary cases concerning solicitors and also to deal with judicial reviews and other challenges to their decisions. Peter Steel and Daniel Purcell are included in the small group of nominated advocates appointed to present cases on the SRA's behalf.
  • We drafted the new Investigation, Disciplinary and Appeals Rules for ILEX Professional Services Ltd.
  • We act for four out of the nine statutory healthcare regulators in their fitness to practise work.  The General Dental Council, General Pharmaceutical Council, the General Chiropractic Council and the General Optical Council.
  • We are one of three firms on the panel for the Council for Healthcare Regulation Excellence (CHRE), the umbrella organisation established to promote best practice and consistency in the regulation of healthcare professional.  We are the only panel firm that also prosecutes fitness to practise cases for healthcare regulators.

Regulatory partners:

Daniel Purcell
Annie Sorbie
Peter Steel
Mark Whiting
John Witt